When Shota Imanaga and 4 relievers teamed as much as shut out the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon, they pushed the Chicago Cubs’ file to 48-33 on the MLB midpoint.
If being on tempo for the franchise’s most wins for the reason that 2016 World Collection champs doesn’t scream authentic title contender, then what does?
Maybe the group’s +100 run differential on the 81-game mark, higher than all people else within the massive leagues besides the New York Yankees?
Maybe averaging 5.4 runs per sport, which ranks second-best in baseball behind the Los Angeles Dodgers? It’s a remarkably balanced assault, because the Cubs rank amongst MLB’s prime three in homers (120) and steals (96) and seventh in walks (282). Pete Crow-Armstrong is on tempo for a 40-40 season. Kyle Tucker is taking a look at a 30-30 marketing campaign.
Whenever you verify superior defensive stats, the Cubs rank among the many prime six groups in MLB because of Crow-Armstrong, second baseman Nico Hoerner and shortstop Dansby Swanson being one of the best up-the-middle trio on the planet.
Nearly all over the place you look, the Cubs have confirmed they’ve what it takes to contend for the championship.
However while you go to on-line sportsbooks and verify their MLB futures, the Cubs are typically listed with the seventh-best odds to win all of it. BetMGM says Craig Counsell’s boys are +1400. FanDuel says +1300. DraftKings checks in at +1600. (For those who’re fascinated with betting on the Cubs to win all of it, keep away from Caesars’ +900.)
Why are the Cubs handled as such relative lengthy photographs? Let’s all say it collectively: It’s the pitching, silly.
Now, it was an ideal signal that Imanaga allowed only one hit and one stroll over 5 innings Thursday in his first begin since Could 4 attributable to a hamstring harm.
He provides the Cubs one pitcher who could be counted on to get by means of an order two or thrice when the playoffs arrive. Matthew Boyd, the free-agent signee who owns a 7-3 file and a pair of.65 ERA in 16 begins, provides the Cubs two playoff-worthy starters — although it must be famous the 34-year-old lefty is already at 91 2/3 innings. He hasn’t thrown this many since going 185 for Detroit in 2019.
Do the Cubs have anybody else worthy of a postseason begin? In a phrase — no.
The metrics say rookie Cade Horton owns a 3.85 anticipated ERA by means of his first eight begins, however he blew up Friday evening at Houston with seven earned runs in 4 innings. Extra related to this season’s prospects, although, Horton wants his workload monitored much more carefully than Boyd. He has hurled 74 innings this season after averaging simply 58 over the past three years.
Jameson Taillon? He permits 2.1 homers per 9 innings. Colin Rea? Mediocre. Ben Brown? Inconsistent. Justin Steele? Injured. (As Dean Wormer may say, mediocre, inconsistent and injured is not any method to undergo life, son.)
To resolve this shortcoming, Cubs GM Jed Hoyer and his cupboard should be even bolder than they have been once they acquired Tucker within the offseason.
They’ve maneuvered themselves into a spot the place they’re nearer to the Dodgers and Mets than they might have realistically projected. But when they’re going to attend to be equals earlier than they strike, then they may as effectively promote the group.
The Dodgers, with their billions of {dollars} and their good entrance workplace, are by no means going away. Mets proprietor Steve Cohen’s pockets shall be large open each offseason and each commerce deadline.
Which means now’s the time to peel a prospect or 5 off their thick stack of kids and purchase two authentic starters — guys who can get the Cubs by means of 5 innings in an October setting.
And don’t simply deal with the leases.
Test in with the Cleveland Guardians about Tanner Bibee. If the Texas Rangers go south, ask about Nathan Eovaldi. Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller twirled a gem Friday evening in opposition to the Mets. Goodness is aware of the Miami Marlins have projectable pitchers — and their favourite factor to do is swap them for extra prospects.
Simply know this, Cubs: Baseball lore is full of groups that ruined their title probabilities by attempting to get by with out sufficient starters. Longtime followers nonetheless bear in mind the 1948 Boston Braves and the phrase “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.”
The Ricketts household must understand how they’ll be roasted in Chicago in the event that they attempt to enter this postseason with the motto: “Imanaga and Boyd and gaze mournfully into the void.”
